West Ham: Surprising Stats Behind the Season's Start and Nuno Espírito Santo's Big Challenge

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PHOTO: Benjamin Elliott, Unsplash

West Ham finds itself in a tough battle for survival, seemingly lacking the fighting spirit needed to turn things around. Nuno Espirito Santo's side not only suffered a 2-0 defeat to Brentford on Monday but was also physically outmatched. The Hammers lost nearly 60% of their duels on the pitch and created less than 20% of the chances. Fans voiced their discontent as well, with empty seats at the London Stadium reflecting a boycott against the club's management.

This was Nuno's first home game in charge of West Ham, but the issues evident on Monday night have been present since the start of the season. Jamie Carragher remarked that this is one of the slowest teams he has seen in the Premier League. The statistics are equally concerning—the team ranks second from the bottom in distance covered, with only Chelsea faring worse due to numerous red cards. West Ham also has the fifth-lowest ball possession, struggling to cover the field when out of possession.

Nuno faces the challenge of changing the players' mindset. They need to improve their physical endurance to withstand the 90-minute pressure. West Ham is also the team conceding the most goals from set pieces, having allowed eight goals from such situations. Nuno believes it's time for a change in personnel to enhance quality and work ethic.

The situation at West Ham is critical, and without intervention, the team could find itself at the bottom of the table. Analysts believe that a shift in the players' attitude could improve not only on-field performance but also the mood among fans. However, time is running out, and urgent action is required.

From a Bulgarian sports journalist's perspective, West Ham faces a significant challenge that demands both tactical and psychological transformation. Improving physical fitness and mental resilience will be crucial for the team's survival in the Premier League.

SOURCE: Sky Sports